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Ethics is a philosophical study of moral actions. Ethics attempts to determine what is valuable for individuals and society. It examines the rational justification of moral judgments and analyzes what is morally just, fair, and right. Bioethics is a sub-discipline of applied ethics that analyzes the philosophical, social, and legal issues in life sciences and medicine. Ethical theories serve as a foundation for decision-making and represent the viewpoints from which people seek direction. They...
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Non-faith-based arguments against physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Daniel P Sulmasy1, John M Travaline2, Louise A Mitchell3

  • 1The Department of Medicine and Divinity School, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

The Linacre Quarterly
|November 12, 2016
PubMed
Summary

This article presents four non-religious arguments against physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia, emphasizing the devaluation of human life, the dangers of the slippery slope, the efficacy of palliative care, and the importance of physician integrity and patient trust.

Keywords:
ApologeticsDebateEuthanasiaPhysician-assisted deathPhysician-assisted suicide

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Area of Science:

  • Bioethics
  • Medical Ethics
  • Public Health Policy

Background:

  • Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia are subjects of ongoing ethical and legal debate.
  • Discussions often involve religious perspectives, necessitating non-faith-based arguments.
  • Existing literature provides a foundation for exploring secular objections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present four distinct non-religious arguments against physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia.
  • To supplement existing non-faith-based discourse on end-of-life issues.
  • To provide a framework for secular ethical considerations regarding assisted dying.

Main Methods:

  • Building upon existing arguments from prominent bioethicists and debates.
  • Synthesizing non-faith-based reasoning against assisted suicide and euthanasia.
  • Developing four core arguments: "it offends me," slippery slope, pain alleviation, and physician integrity.

Main Results:

  • Argument 1: "It offends me" posits that suicide devalues human life.
  • Argument 2: The "slippery slope" suggests that limits on euthanasia erode over time.
  • Argument 3: "Pain can be alleviated" highlights advancements in palliative care and therapeutics.
  • Argument 4: "Physician integrity and patient trust" asserts that participating in suicide violates professional ethics and patient confidence.

Conclusions:

  • Non-religious ethical frameworks can provide robust opposition to physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia.
  • These arguments address concerns about human dignity, societal impact, medical capabilities, and professional integrity.
  • The findings support a continued ethical debate on assisted dying from secular viewpoints.